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Canadian guideline on concussions in sports released

Seven areas are addressed including pre-season education, head injury recognition, medical assessment and return to sport.

The guideline’s aim is to create a more consistent approach to concussions across Canada. (Dreamstime)

By The Canadian Press

Fri., July 28, 2017

WINNIPEG—Canadian guidelines on concussions in sports to help with decisions on diagnosis management and treatment have been released by Parachute Canada, a national charity working to reduce predictable and preventable injuries.

The federally funded guideline released on Friday is intended to ensure that athletes receive appropriate care if there’s a potential concussion.

Health Minister Jane Philpott and Sport Minister Carla Qualtrough said in a statement that the guide is meant to help anyone that interacts with athletes, ranging from coaches to health care professionals.

The guideline’s aim is to create a more consistent approach to concussions across Canada, something that a number of high profile Canadian sports figures have urged in the past.

Last year, hockey legend Ken Dryden called on sports executives to catch up with the science that shows a relationship with head trauma and long-term brain injuries.

Dryden has long been an advocate for talking about concussions by hosting symposiums across the country.

Former NHL star Eric Lindros has called for a national standard on treatment of concussions that could be taught in schools and help young athletes, coaches and their parents recognize a head injury.

Correction – July 31, 2017: This article was edited from a previous version that incorrectly said the guidelines were issued by the federal government. In fact, the guidelines were funded by the federal government but developed and issued by Parachute Canada and its expert advisory concussion subcommittee.

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